Knowing the patterns and trends in causes of death by age and sex in a population is critical to understanding how to target interventions to maximize population health. Global Burden of Disease research estimates how many people die worldwide from over 300 diseases and injuries each year. Our interactive GBD Compare data visualization shows these trends by age, sex, and country over time.
Less than half of the world’s population has their births and deaths recorded in a vital registration system, leaving millions whose cause of death is unknown. Even when this information is available, causes of death are often inaccurately or inconsistently recorded.
To overcome this issue, we have created analytic tools that model trends, redistribute deaths mistakenly assigned to incorrect causes, and help fill gaps where data are missing. Pooling all available data on causes of death – including vital registration, household surveys, verbal autopsies, and hospital records – has enhanced our ability to create high-performing methods.
Our Mortality and Causes of Death visualizations show how these estimates are made and where data gaps occur. Data can also be downloaded from our Global Health Data Exchange.